Baltimore

April 30th, 2015 → 5:47 am

“The storm is up, and all is on the hazard.” – Julius Caesar

This quote certainly applies to Baltimore right now, but in truth, it applies beyond Baltimore.  Ferguson, South Carolina, Cleveland, New York…the entire U.S. has a race problem and we need to admit and address it already.

Filed under: Blog & Other

A Love Poem

April 27th, 2015 → 5:07 am

I meant to post something yesterday, on National Poem in Your Pocket Day, but I failed to get around to it.  So a day late, but still worth reading, here is a Shakespeare sonnet on love, dedicated to my ever-suffering husband:

    “Some glory in their birth, some in their skill,
    Some in their wealth, some in their body’s force.
    Some in their garments, though newfangled ill,
    Some in their hawks and hounds, some in their horse;
    And every humor hath his adjunct pleasure,
    Wherein it finds a joy above the rest.
    But these particulars are not my measure;
    All these I better in one general best.
    Thy love is better than high birth to me,
    Richer than wealth, prouder than garments’ cost,
    Of more delight than hawks or horses be;
    And having thee, of all men’s pride I boast.
         Wretched in this alone, that thou mayst take
         All this away, and me most wretched make.” – Sonnet 91

Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art

Birthdays & Anniversaries

April 24th, 2015 → 5:35 am

“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” – The Merchant of Venice

So many birthdays and anniversaries this week!  First, Shakespeare’s birthday is sometime around now (we aren’t sure of his exact birth day, but we know it’s on or near April 23).  Second, Earth Day was April 22.  Third, my anniversary with my husband was April 20 (steak and lobster dinner, here we come!).  Fourth, my mother’s wedding anniversary with her third husband was April 22 (not my most favorite anniversary, to be honest, but still, something to note).  Happy celebrating this week!

Filed under: Blog & Other

Queen Elizabeth I – Plagerizer or Plagerized?

April 22nd, 2015 → 5:33 am

I happen to be reading a great book on Queen Elizabeth right now, and every once in awhile there are quotes directly from the Queen herself.  What amazes me is how often they sound like famous quotes from Shakespeare.  Since the two lived at the same time, and definitely interacted at court, I’m wondering now, who influenced whom?

“To be a king and wear a crown is more glorious to them that see it than it is a pleasure to them that bear it.” – Queen Elizabeth I

     “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown._ – Shakespeare (Henry IV, Part II)

“A vain crack of words that made a noise only.” – Queen Elizabeth

     “…full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. – Shakespeare (Macbeth)

Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art

Whistleblowers

April 17th, 2015 → 5:39 am

“Virtue finds no friends.” – Henry VIII

It depresses me every time I read another story about another whistleblower that, instead of being lauded, get punished for trying to improve things.  It took ten years, but at least this latest whistleblower at the FBI was eventually vindicated.

Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians

Presidential Announcements

April 14th, 2015 → 5:58 am

“I am giddy; expectation whirls me round.” – Troilus and Cressida

First Hillary, then Rubio – all these announcements to run for U.S. president!  I’m giddy!  NOT.

Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians

Lost Shakespeare Play?

April 11th, 2015 → 5:31 am

“Thereby hangs a tale.” – As You Like It

I can’t believe it.  I’m astounded.  I’m excited!  I’m just so surprised.  Word is a new Shakespeare play has been found, or at least finally authenticated to actually be by him.  WOW!!

Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art

Over-Editing

April 8th, 2015 → 7:05 am

    “Care is no cure, but rather corrosive,
    For things that are not to be remedied.” – Henry VI, Part I

Have you ever written something, but can’t let it go?  An essay, a short story, an article for journal publication?  Sometimes it’s really hard to stop over-editing a piece and just let it go already!!

Filed under: Blog & Literature/Theatre/Art

Passover & The Ten Plagues

April 5th, 2015 → 9:09 pm

“A plague upon the tyrant that I serve!” – The Tempest

This Shakespeare quote almost sounds like Moses could have said it himself.  To everyone celebrating Passover this week, Happy Pesach.  To everyone celebrating Easter, Happy Easter.  To everyone else, Be Happy.

Filed under: Blog & Other